Geometrical puzzle pieces and inlay board

ABSTRACT

A geometrical puzzle with an inlay board having a plurality of geometrical patterns thereon and a set of seven geometrical pieces, some of which can be arranged to form the patterns, the set including two identical isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length of the squareroot of 2 times S, two identical, but smaller, isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length S, one square having each side of the length S and two identical rhomboids each having two opposing sides thereof the length of the squareroot of 2 times S and the other two opposing sides thereof of the length S.

United States Patent 1 Locker Sept. 23, 1975 [76] Inventor: John L. Locker, 338 Flurnoy St..

Florence, Ala. 35630 [22] Filed: July 16, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 489,040

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 641.430 4/1928 France 273/157 R Primary E.\'aminerAnton O. Oechsle Attorney. Agent. or FirmCushman. Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT A geometrical puzzle with an inlay board having a plurality of geometrical patterns thereon and a set of seven geometrical pieces some of which can be ar ranged to form the patterns. the set including two identical isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length of the squareroot of 2 times S. two identical, but smaller. isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length S. one square having each side of the length S and two identical rhomboids each having two opposing sides thereof the length of the squareroot of 2 times S and the other two opposing sides thereof of the length S.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975

GEOMETRIC-AL PUZZLE PIECES AND INLAY iBOARD This application relates to geometric puzzles comprising flat pieces of blocks or tiles having different geometrical shapes and dimensions -to-be used with inlay boards with polygonal designs. These blocks may be assembled into a variety of ways so as' to form fanciful designs. arrangements and the like. I I

According to my-invention. the puzzles have been divided into two different sets. Set 1 consists of seven puzzle pieces which are arrangeable into four different patterns forming ,a total of over puzzle problems using these patterns. some with multiple solutions. Set 2 consists of the same seven puzzle pieces and four additional patterns forming a total of overilfi puzzles using these patterns. again some having multiple solutions. l have other unlisted setsof puzzlepieces which will'also solve the inlay boards. These unlisted sets are usually a derivative of theseven piece set that is listed in this brief. Various puzzle forms and dimensions of the puzzle parts themselves are described "below I The main object of sets I and 2 of the present invention is to provide for construction of a comparatively large number of regular geometrical shapes. as wellas irregular geometrical shapes and figures. using a relatively small number of geometrical blocks properly arranging and laying these blocks together in an edgewise or abutting manner.

The puzzles described herein are particularly adapted for use by children of from 5 to 9 years of age. although younger and older children. as well as adults. may find the puzzles amusing. The child works with the various geometric shapes which are to be arranged in various patterns as described below and illustrated in the figures. These puzzles are ofeductional value to the user as the child develops special relationships with the parts. and an ability to make a conjecture. judgment, analytical thinking and creativity. as well as learning many properties about symmetry and shapes. l have found that the puzzles described herein are not only enjoyable to the individual using them but also instill in a person a healthy attitude towards both art and math.

While the various puzzle shapes can be arranged on a plane surface. the inlay boards provide a means which I have found gives these puzzles a meaningful. attractive and workable form especially well suited for young children.

The various sets. described above. are arranged in order of difficulty. Set I is suggested for the beginner before commencing Set 2. and. similarly. completion of Set 2 is suggested before progressing to other sets. FIGS. I and 2 are puzzle inlay boards with geometric shapes and FIGS. 3-6 are the blocks which are inserted into the inlay boards of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6 comprise Set 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. I and 2 are puzzle inlay boards of regular geometric shapes and FIGS. 3 6 are the blocks which are inserted into the inlay boards of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. I and 3-6 comprise set I and FIGS. 2-6 comprise set 2.

In one aspect. the present invention comprises a geometrical puzzle containing of seven multi-lateral sections capable of being arranged to form a predetermined geometrical shape or shapes. wherein none of the. shapes of each of the individual sections occurs more than twice and of these sections no more than two pieces are indentieal. The seven sections consist of the following pieces: two isosceles right triangles each -of which have the twoequal sides of the isosceles right triangle of the length the squareroot of 2 times S and a base of the length 2 times S; two identical but smaller isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length S; one square having each side thereof'of the length S; and two identical rhomboids each having two opposing sides thereof of the length of squareroot of 2 times S and the other two opposing sides thereof of the-length SI e 'As used inthis application. the unit S is a unit of length which is chosen as an arbitrary value and may be either in inches of centimeters, for example.

Referring out of the drawings. FIG. 1 shows two of the four puzzle sections displayed being filled with the sections or tiles. As will be seen, the middle left section comprises one square and two rhomboids while the middle right section comprises two of the larger isosceles' right triangles and two of the smaller isosceles right triangles. As' previously indicated. there are multiple solutions -to the various configurations set forth in FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as the remaining figures of the application. I I

FIG. 3 shows the two rhomboids having the longer side thereof of the length of the squareroot of 2 times S. of course. the longer sides being parallel and opposing each other. The shorter sides having the length S as does each side of the square shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 which is the larger isosceles right triangle has a base length of 2S and each of the equal sides of the length of the squareroot of2 times S. FIG. 6 is the smaller isosceles right triangle each of the two equal sides having the length S.

In order to work readily with the puzzle pieces or tiles rather than arrange them on a plane surface over a given outline. I prefer to use an inlay board in which channels or cutouts are made in the inlay board itself. Sets that the puzzle piece or tile can drop at least partially into the channel or inlay. This holds the various puzzle tiles in position and provides for manipulation of the remaining parts until the entire arrangement is completed. I have found that using the inlay technique is particularly advantageous when younger children are using the puzzles.

An analysis of the shapes and sizes of the geometric shapes or patterns in the inlay board of FIG. 1 relative to the shapes and sizes of the blocks or sections illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 reveals that each of the FIG. 1 patterns are sized and shaped to accommodate the two smaller isosceles right triangles of FIG. 6 and any combination of any two of the remaining sections (FIGS. 35 In like manner. it can be seen that at least some of the patterns of FIG. 2 are sized and shaped to accomodate the smaller isosceles triangles and any three of the remaining sections.

Using the configurations illustrated in the drawings. it is possible to run through a series of manipulations and variations on the basic sub-assemblies by rearranging and rcshuffling all the basic blocks with certain of the blocks left undisturbed. The shape of the various pieces as described herein is such that a relatively small number of pieces are used to produce a great variety of figures and particularly figures ofgreatly varying angles showing in their outlines. The puzzles are stimulating to both children and adults and are designed such that the puzzle presents, in its solutions, a sufficient degree of difficulty to stimilate interest by the user but yet not difficult enough to create discouragement.

The puzzles according to my invention may be played in many ways. both by a single player and by a group. For instance. the winner may be designated as the person who solves a given problem first, or a person who solves it in the most original or unique way, or similar designations for achievement.

The above description, including the accompanying drawings. are descriptive of my invention and the several embodiments thereof in some detail and l have explained several ways in which the invention may be used in different kinds of puzzle gams, so that those skilled in the art will have full and complete understanding of the puzzles. The scope of my invention is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A geometrical puzzle comprising an inlay board having a plurality of predetermined geometrical pat terns thereon and seven multilateral sections at least some of which can be arranged to form said predeten mined geometrical patterns. none of the shapes of the sections occurring more than twice and no more than two of the pieces being identical. said seven sections including:

two identical isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length of the squareroot of 2 times S;

two identical but smaller isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length 5;

one square having each side of the length S; and

two identical rhomboids each having two opposing sides thereof the length of the squareroot of 2 times S and the other two opposing sides thereof the length S; wherein S is a predetermined unit of length. the above sections. when combined and arranged into a predetermined geometrical pattern, have selected edges thereof abutting. the overall arrangement defining said geometrical pattern. said patterns being sized and shaped to accommodate said two smaller triangles and any combination of a given number, greater than 1 and not greater than 3, of the other sections, and having an area substantially equal to the sum of the areas of said two smaller triangles and said given number of other sections.

2. A puzzle as in claim 1 wherein said given number is two.

3. A puzzle as in claim 1 wherein said given number is three. 

1. A geometrical puzzle comprising an inlay board having a plurality of predetermined geometrical patterns thereon and seven multilateral sections at least some of which can be arranged to form said predetermined geometrical patterns, none of the shapes of the sections occurring more than twice and no more than two of the pieces being identical, said seven sections including: two identical isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length of the squareroot of 2 times S; two identical but smaller isosceles right triangles each having the two equal sides of the length S; one square having each side of the length S; and two identical rhomboids each having two opposing sides thereof the length of the squareroot of 2 times S and the other two opposing sides thereof the length S; wherein S is a predetermined unit of length, the above sections, when combined and arranged into a predetermined geometrical pattern, have selected edges thereof abutting, the overall arrangement defining said geometrical pattern, said patterns being sized and shaped to accommodate said two smaller triangles and any combination of a given number, greater than 1 and not greater than 3, of the other sections, and having an area substantially equal to the sum of the areas of said two smaller triangles and said given number of other sections.
 2. A puzzle as in claim 1 wherein said given number is two.
 3. A puzzle as in claim 1 wherein said given number is three. 